BRUINS NOTEBOOK: Marchand makes complete recovery

Brad Marchand made a mistake that cost the Bruins a goal in Saturday's second period, but he made up for it with two third-period assist that helped the B's rally past the Canadiens.

Mike Loftus The Patriot Ledger

Saturday’s comeback required contributions from virtually every member of the team, but there was one player who wanted – maybe even felt he needed – to help more than any other Bruin.

Brad Marchand, whose appalling turnover at the start of the second period let the Canadiens wipe out the Bruins’ 1-0 lead, more than made up for it within a span of 3 minutes, 24 seconds in the third period. His rush, curl and pass to Dougie Hamilton cut the Habs’ lead to 3-2 when Hamilton scored his second goal of the post-season at 10:32, and Marchand had the only assist on linemate Patrice Bergeron’s tying goal at 14:17.

“You can’t dwell on it,” Marchand said of his turnover, which came when he tried to stickhandle through Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher at low speed, and instead ended up stripped of the puck in the neutral zone. “Things happen in a game. You make mistakes, and you’ve just got to get over it.”

“We need to be smart in a situation like that, and put (the puck) deep,” Bergeron said. “He’s been around here long enough to know that, but he’s got that character. He came back in the third and made a difference.”

Marchand, who was also on the ice for Reilly Smith’s game-winning goal with 3:32 left in regulation, ended up with his second consecutive two-assist game and was plus-2. He continues to look for his first goal of this post-season after failing to register a shot on Saturday, but that wasn’t on his mind after the game.

“It was definitely frustrating for them to capitalize (on his turnover),” Marchand said, “but we ended up winning the game. That’s all that matters.”

Comeback kid: It looked like the Bruins lost forward Shawn Thornton for the third period – and perhaps longer – when he got hurt trying to hit Canadiens’ defenseman P.K. Subban, but the Merlot Line right wing only missed a little more than eight minutes.

“He was laying down (on the ice), and obviously in a lot of pain,” said defenseman Torey Krug. “He went down the tunnel, but then comes back – it was definitely an emotional lift, for sure.”

“It was tough seeing him get injured – especially trying to make a play and trying to give some energy to the team,” Smith said. “To see him come back, still battling hard – it shows his leadership, it shows his passion for the game, it shows dedication to his team.”

Thornton was certainly passionate as he was helped off the ice, unable to put weight on his right leg. He wouldn’t say what he was shouting over his shoulder as he was taken towards the Bruins’ dressing room, but did admit he was angry that Subban ducked beneath his check, sending Thornton over him and into the boards between the team benches.

“I don’t like people ducking,” said Thornton, who hit a post and drew a penalty in the first period. “I will say, (Subban) apologized afterward, so there’s that.

The last word: Subban, the subject of racist attacks on social media sites after Game 1, addressed the issue after the game.

“It’s completely unfair for anybody to point the finger at the organization or the fan base,” Subban said. “I’ve come to Boston many times, my family has come here, and it’s been great. What people may say on Twitter or social media is not a reflection by any means of the league or the Boston Bruins.

“Whoever that is, they’ll get dealt with, but it’s completely separate from this league or the Boston Bruins organization. The fan base has been awesome; they are a great bunch of fans.”

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was at TD Garden for the game and said: “I fully endorse and support the comment that (Bruins president) Cam Neely and the Bruins issued (on Friday). We are about diversity and inclusiveness. We condemn bias and hatred. It has no place in our game, and it’s not acceptable.”